


Book'. 






57Ta; Congress, ( SENATE. j Document 

1st Session. \ j No. 236. 



HALL OF RECORDS, WASHINGTON, D. C. 



L E T T E E 

FROM 

THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY, 



THE NECESSITY FOR THE CONSTRTTCTION OF A HALL OF 
RECORDS IN THE CITY OF WASHINGTON, D. C. 



March 5, 1902. — Ordered to be printed. 



\ V ;_ Treasury Department, 

Office of the Secretary, 

Washington, March 3, 1902. 

Sir: 1 have the honor to submit the following statement in amplifi- 
cation of that paragraph of the Annual Report of the Secretary of the 
Treasury, 1901, page 3-1, relating to the urgent necessity for construct- 
ing a Hall of Records in this city: 

It seems proper at the outset to remark upon the extreme importance 
of this matter as exhibited by the persistence with which it has com- 
pelled the attention of the committees of Congress and officers of the 
Executive Departments during man}^ years, and to notice the consen- 
sus of opinion as to the imperative demand for providing safe-keeping 
for the invaluable records of the Government. 

This proposed structure first appears under the title "Hall of 
Records" in the Annual Report of the Secretar}' of War (Ex. Doc, 
1S7S-T9, vol. 2) in which the Secretary emphasizes the hazardous sit- 
uation of records of great value in the Quartermaster-General's Office, 
such records containing the original proof in claims against the L^nited 
States to the amount of many millions of dollars. 

This action seems to have been prompted b}^ the alarm created hy the 
losses which had lately occurred by fire at the Patent Office and Interior 
Department. It does not, however, appear that the matter was con- 
sidered by an}^ committee of Congress until March 16, 1882, when the 
House Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds reported: 

That the necessitj' for the erection of a suitable firepoof building for the safe- 
keeping of the records and official papers of the several departments, which have 
been accumulated since the formation of the Government, has long been apparent to 
anyone who has given any consideration to the subject. At present, papers whose 



2 HALL OF RECORDS, WASHINGTON, D. 0. • ^^^0 

V ^} 

value can not be estimated and which can not be replaced, involving large sums of \\\\ 

mone)'^ to the (Tovernment, are stored away in the different departments, some of v" 

them in rented buildings not fireproof and liable at any moment to be destroyed by ' 
fire. 

The bill upon which this report was made did not pass, but the 
sundry civil bill, approved August 7, 1882, contained the following: 

That the Supervising Architect of the Treasury be, and he is, required to make a 
report through the Secretary of the Treasury to tiie next session of Congress, first, as 
to a suitable plat of ground belonging to the United States upon which a suitable 
fireproof building can be erected, to be built of brick, to be used for the safe-keeping 
of records of the executive, legislative, and judicial departments, which are not 
required for constant reference; second, the probable cost of such building, with 
jDlans and specifications for same. 

On Januaiy 17, 1883, the Supervising Architect reported somewhat 
in detail upon a site, plans, and specifications for the building, but it 
does not appear that Congress took any action on the report. 

On December 19, 1883, President Arthur transmitted to Congress a 
letter from the Secretary of War stating the necessity for the con- 
struction of a fireproof building for the storage of public records. 
The recommendations of former years were urgentl}^ renewed. 

In 1886 the Treasur}?^ Department again took up the subject, and in 
March of that year the Supervising Architect recommended the con- 
struction of a building for the safe-keeping of records, reviewed the 
efforts already made, and adds: 

As to the advisability of constructing this building so as to accommodate the 
offices named, I have to report that it would be both wise and economical. In both 
my annual reports the attention of Congress has been called to the necessity for such 
a building. The losses which the Government has already sustained by fire, lead 
me to call especial attention to the necessity for a fireproof building for the files of 
the Executive Departments. 

During a period of nearlj^ ten years following this recommendation, 
nothing appeals to have been done, either in Congress or in the 
Executive Departments, looking to the building of a Hall of Records. 

March 31, 1894, the House Committee on Public Buildings and 
Grounds reported: 

Your committee fully concur with the Senate that a Hall of Records is one of the 
present pressing needs of the Government here at the capital. Very large accumu- 
lations of records of great value are now stored in insecure buildings liable to destruc- 
tion by fire or to damage or loss from other causes. 

If through any accident these records should be destroyed tlieir reproduction 
would be impossible, and great inconvenience and much embarrassment would result 
to the several departments of the Government thereby. In most instances these 
records pertain to questions of great importance and value, and they have been 
steadily accumulating since tlie organization of the Government, and they must be 
preserved for future reference. They are in such quantity as to require a great deal 
of space, and are of course constantly increasing in volume. Those whicli are not 
placed on storage in unsafe outside buildings are occupying highly valuable space in 
the various departments, which is badly needed for the transaction of current 
business. 

In some instances department buildings have become dangerously overweighted 
with these accumulated records, and the heads of departments have found it neces- 
sary for safety to remove the files into other buildings. These records all together 
are now occupying a vast quantity of space in the department buildings, and it is 
believed that the transfer of all of them not required for daily use to a building con- 
structed for the purpose would greatly facilitate the transaction of the public business. 

Nothing definite was accomplished by the consideration given to the 
bill upon which this report was made. 



5 190B 



HALL OF EECORDS, WASHINGTON, D. C. 6 

In April, 1896, the Secretaiy of the Treasur}" addressed letters to the 
Committees on Public Buildings and Grounds of both Houses referring 
to the bill for the construction of a Hall of Records then under con- 
sideration, and sa.js: 

I have the honor to state in behalf of this Department that the necessity for such 
a building can not be too strongly urged. The files rooms in this building are as a 
rule overcrowded, and have been for a number of years past, and to relieve them 
some of the papers and documents to which reference is rarely made were transferred 
to and placed in the basement ground floor of the Winder Building, where they are 
packed in a solid mass, which makes them inaccessible for reference without great 
labor, and where they are exposed more or less to dampness, which must in time 
destroy their usefulness. 

The papers and documents were not transferred to the Winder Building until every 
expedient was resorted to to relieve this building from its overcrowded condition. 
Three of the corridors in the attic are shelved and filled with files and papers so 
exposed that evil-disposed persons can tamper with them. Within the last year a 
large number of vouchers were abstracted by one of the laborers of the Department 
for the internal-revenue stamps which they bore, and the vouchers subsequently 
destroved by him. Other portions of the building are so crowded and the files so 
located as to be almost inaccessible in case of fire, and the destruction which might 
arise from such an outbreak would be irreparable, and vast interests of the Govern- 
ment placed in jeopardy. 

In his annual report for 1897 the Secretary of the Treasury stated 
that the needs for such a building were imperative and that nothing 
had since developed to modify or change the conditions as stated in 
the letter above quoted. 

March 22, 1898, the Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, referring 
to a statement published in the Evening Star of same date, says: 

A committee of the Treasury has recently been reassigning the roon;is in the Treas- 
ury building, and as its work has progressed the necessity for file room has become 
more and more apparent. The Treasury Department, by reason of a want of proper 
space for its employees, has been compelled to store tons of valuable records in places 
that are not only inconvenient, but to a certain degree insecure. In the basement, 
down under the'east portico, are stored the accumulations of years. It is necessary 
to use in these places artificial lights at all times, and notwithstanding every pre- 
caution and care to guard against fires, there is always more or less danger. The 
files rooms of the garret are not less unsuitable for the uses to which they are being 
put at this time. 

It will be of great advantage to the Treasury Department to have its records not in 
daily use stored safely in such a building as has long been contemplated for a Hall of 
Records. 

The following extract is made from the Annual Report of the Secre- 
tary of the Treasury for 1899: 

The earnest consideration of Congress is again invited to the necessity for provid- 
ing a Hall of Records in this city in which the uncurrent files of the various Execu- 
tive Departments and other branches of the Government may be stored. 

This matter has been the subject of agitation for many years past, but with no 
practical results. The growth of the Government's business is so rapid, and the 
accumulation of the files so great as a consequence, that all of the Executive Depart- 
ments are cramped for room in which to store the files which by law must be pre- 
served. The destruction by fire of any one of the Executive Departments would 
cause almost irreparable injury, confusion, and delay in the transaction of its busi- 
ness, and this is especially true "of the Treasury. This Department is the great clear- 
ing liouse of the Government. Here all its debts are paid, and here are preserved 
the evidences of such payment. The files stored in this building are in such condi- 
tion that a fire may ensue at any time, and in the event of their destruction number- 
less claims against the Government would at once arise to embarrass it. 

In the Secretary's opinion, there is no public improvement more needed for the 
welfare of the nation than a Hall of Records in this city, and the matter is presented 
for the careful consideration of Congress, with the hope that action will be taken at 
this session looking to the erection of such building. 



4 HALL OF RECORDS, WASHINGTON, D. C. 

The above passage is repeated in the annual report of the Secretaiy 
of the Treasuiy, 1900, with the remark: 

The attention of Congress has been repeatedlj^ called to the necessity for provid- 
ing a Hal] of Records in this city in which uncurrent files of the various Executive 
Departments and other branches of the Government may be stored. The Secretary 
would be remiss in duty if he did not present the matter again for the consideration 
of Congress. 

In addition to the above, this Department has, from time to time, 
from January 7, 1897, to January 25, 1902, reported to the committees 
of Congress upon bills looking to the purchase of a site for the hall of 
records, to which no further reference is now necessary, except to 
remark that in almost all cases the Department has been constrained 
to report the site suggested insufficient in size for the accommodation 
of a building of sufficient capacit}" for the purpose desired. 

It seems impossible to state with greater emphasis or with greater 
weight of authorit}^ than appears in the above quotations the reason- 
able appeal that is made for a suitable structure for housing the records 
of the Government. As a question of comparative economy the case 
is equall}^ free from doubt. To say nothing of the question of safety, 
which involves a multitude of important interests, both public ancl 
private, the present method of storage is extravagant in waste of space 
in the costly public buildings, which should be otherwise used, in 
expenses for rented buildings, and in the cost of handling and of access 
to the files for reference. 

THE BUILDING. 

In the sundry civil bill approved June 11, 1896, the Secretaiy of 
the Treasury, in connection with a report upon a site at the intersec- 
tion of Ohio and Indiana avenues with Tenth and Twelfth streets, 
was directed also to submit a plan giving the size and general charac- 
teristics of a building to be used for a Hall of Records, and also before 
making his report to consult with the heads of the other departments 
and the proper officers of the Senate and House of Representatives. 

In response to this provision of law the Secretary of the Treasury 
(Mr. Carlisle), January 7, 1897, made a partial report, with the state- 
ment that he was awaiting further communications from other depart- 
ments, and was not prepared to make a final report upon the subject 
at that time. 

January 14, 1898, the Secretary of the Treasury (Mr. Gage) made a 
further report upon the plan and dimensions of the building required 
(House Doc. 226, Fifty-fifth Congress, second session), as follows: 

From information obtained upon consultation with the heads of the other depart- 
ments and the proper officers of the Senate and House of Representatives, it appears 
that a building proportioned to the present requirements, with provision for increase 
for a moderate i^eriod, should have a cai^acity of approximately 4,000,000 cubic feet. 

The Secretary also submitted two designs, one for a building nine 
stories in height adapted to the site upon which a report had been 
requested; the other for a building of more suitable proportions 
adapted to a site of proper dimensions. Referring to the latter, he says : 

Design B shows a building 400 by 70 feet having four stories, fireproof construction, 
and estimated to cost $450,000. It will be observed that the capacity of this design, 
approximately 1,000,000 cubic feet, is considerably less than what will ultimately be 
required, as provided by Design A. Design B, however, offers this advantage: The 
building is capable of extension, as indicated on the plan, without impairing its 



^ HALL OF EECORDS, WASHINGTON, D. C. 5 

architectural appearance, to the approximate capacity of 4,000,000 cubic feet. The 
portion of the building shown will, when completed, relieve the present congested 
condition of tiles storage, and extension could be made at some future time and ulti- 
mately complete the quadrangle. 

The statements received from the departments and other officers 
appear in a condensed and tabular form, hereto attached, together with 
a copy of Plan B. 

In a letter addressed hj the Secretary of the Treasury to the chair- 
man of the Senate Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds, April 
20, 1900, reporting-, at the request of the committee, upon S. 22-i7, the 
following language is used: 

The Department is of the opinion that it is desirable to acquire, looking to the con- 
struction of a building which, when completed, will have a capacity of 4,000,000 
cubic feet, a rectangular block of not less, approximately, than 350 feet square. 

It will be observed that a building of 4,000,000 cubic feet is one of great magnitude, 
and the Department is of the opinion that a site ample in size should be provided for 
it. On such a site a building could advantageously be planned, so that a portion of 
it, say 2,000,000 cubic feet, could first be erected with a view to attaining the full 
capacity by future extensions, and it is obvious that the architectural appearance, as 
well as the utility of such a building, would be promoted by separating it from the 
streets and contiguous buildings by reasonably ample spaces. In this connection 
reference is made to the remarks of the undersigned upon Design B, in Document 
226, hereinbefore referred to. 

On a site of limited area it will be necessary to make the ground floor coextensive 
with the site, and therefore there will be no way by which the capacity of the 
building can be increased except bj' imposing upon it additional stories, a work 
extremely difiicult, if not impracticable, of execution after the lower stories have 
been occupied for the storage of records. 

In a letter dated Mo^y 5, 1900, addressed by the Supervising Archi- 
tect to the Secretar}" of the Treasury in response to a request for a 
report on certain sites for the Hall of Records, one of which was power 
house square, No. 255, is found the following passage: 

For the approximate quantity of Government files now on hand to be moved into 
the proposed Hall of Records reference is respectfully made to the attached schedule 
of reports made by the several departments to the Secretary of the Treasury in 
August, 1896. It will be observed that all the departments submitted an estimate of 
future requirements, but the details of present requirements were not in all cases 
given. It is not known that the statements of future requirements were made to 
cover a period of twenty-five years, but it is believed that they cover a reasonable 
provision for the future. 

The approximate cost of building on the power-house site, including E street and 
a portion of the reservation, is estimated: 

For site §500, 000 

For building 2, 500, 000 

For pile foundation 25, 000 

Total 3, 025, 000 

The building to have a gross capacity of about 5, 000, 000 cubic feet, including halls, 
corridors, light shafts, etc. 

In a letter dated May 7, 1900, addressed to the Secretary of the 
Tre«isury by the Supervising Architect, in response to a request for a 
statement as to the suitable dimensions for a site for the proposed 
Hall of Records, the following language is used: 

Assuming that the building should have a capacity of 5,000,000 cubic feet to provide 
for a reasonable future period, the structure would be of about the size of the Wash- 
ington post-oflfice. Erected like the post-office on a city block of average size, the 
building would have to be seven or eight stories high, and the entire building would 
have to be built at one time, as it w^ould be hardly practicable to erect at first enough 
for present needs and afterwards meet future demands by adding upper stories to an 
occupied building. 



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